"I know this football and Spanish football. When you are involved in this football and enjoying it I would like to stay here.

"I need to take the right step. When I went to Middlesbrough I thought it was a perfect first step. At the time I showed I did it right. Now I need to do it right again but, again, I would like to be here in England."

Karanka left his head coach role at Middlesbrough in March with his side second-bottom of the Premier League with 10 games to go, with a club statement from owner Steve Gibson insisting the decision to sack him was mutual.

The Spaniard revealed the two parted company on good terms and remain in touch.

"It was very amicable," he said.

"What we built in three and a half years was more than football. Our families are friends. It was an amazing experience for all of us. Making the decision wasn't easy for him, but looking at our faces we needed to make a change for the club."

When he departed, Karanka believed results would improve under his replacement Steve Agnew.

Steve Agnew couldn't save Boro from relegation

However, Boro's season petered out and they were relegated with three games to spare.

Karanka isn't convinced Gibson will give the job to Agnew next season as they aim to bounce straight back.

"At that moment we felt the club needed a change because we thought with that change the team could change like other teams in the Premier League," he said.

"It was a shame that they couldn't.

"The chairman said one week ago that maybe they have to change everything. With Steve Gibson's experience, for sure he will do the best for the club."